DESC:ASSEMBLY OF PANEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PARTS
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to assembly of panel instrument cluster of a vehicle and, in particular, to assembly of inner part of the panel instrument cluster with outer part of the panel instrument cluster from rear side of the instrument panel of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Panel instrument cluster is part of instrument panel which is also called as speedometer cover. The panel instrument cluster is placed in front of driver seat on the instrument panel of the vehicle. In the panel instrument cluster different meters, such as speedometer and indicators, such as digital displays are assembled to assist the driver while driving the vehicle. Further, other driver assisting devices can also be installed in the panel instrument cluster.
[003] Fig. 1 illustrates the assembly of inner part of the panel instrument cluster with outer part of the panel instrument cluster from front side of the instrument panel of the vehicle. In the present assembly, back surface of the inner part 101 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 has plurality of welding ribs 204 (as shown in figure 2). The plurality of welding ribs 204 is placed on the back surface of the inner part 101 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103. On the other hand, the outer part 102 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 has plurality of holes to receive the plurality of welding ribs 204 of the inner part 101 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103. Once the plurality of holes on the outer part 102 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 receives the plurality of welding ribs 204 of the inner part 101 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 an engagement is made.
[004] Fig. 2 illustrates the cross sectional view of assembly of the inner part 101 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 with the outer part 102 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 from front side. During the assembly of the inner part 101 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 with the outer part 102 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 from front side, the plurality of welding ribs 204 present on the inner part 101 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 rubs inner surface 201 of the outer part 102 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 and leaves the rubbing marks and scratches on the inner surface of the outer part 102 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103. The rubbing marks and scratches on the inner surface 201 of the outer part 102 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 103 are clearly visible from cabin of the vehicle. There is no locator to guide the movement of plurality of ribs on the plurality of holes.
[005] WO publication WO 2003024733 A1 relates to an instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a cluster assembly including a faceplate having a display panel for displaying predetermined vehicle information to the vehicle occupant, a circuit board operatively coupled to the faceplate for controlling the information on the panels, a shroud for interconnecting the circuit board and the faceplate, and a bezel assembly having a frame fixedly secured to the faceplate, circuit board and shroud. The frame includes an upper portion having an outer raised rib and a lower portion. A recessed cavity is formed in the instrument panel and defined by an upper wall having a recessed area and opposite lower wall. The cluster assembly is slid ably received within the recessed cavity and removably secured to the instrument panel by mating engagement between the raised rib and the recessed area. A biasing member extends between the lower wall and the lower portion of the frame for biasing the raised rib of the cluster assembly against the recessed area of the upper wall.
[006] US Patent publication US6314810 B1 relates to a gauge assembly is provided including a terminal carrier including a base portion, a head portion extending from a first side of the base portion, and a plurality of legs extending from a second side of the base portion. The head portion includes a twist lock locking element disposed on a side thereof. A bobbin and coil assembly is supported by the terminal carrier. The bobbin and coil assembly rotatably supports a spindle and magnet. A plurality of electrical terminals extend through the base portion of the terminal carrier and terminate at one end into a bent contact portion adjacent to the head portion which engage electrical contact pads disposed on the printed circuit board. The electrical terminals have a second end electrically connected to a coil of the bobbin and coil assembly. A plurality of mounting bosses are mounted to the display panel and are provided with sloped surfaces for guiding the gauge assembly to a centered position when the display panel and printed circuit board are mounted together. One of the mounting bosses is attached to the printed circuit board.
[007] In the known technologies and above mentioned prior arts, the inner part is assembled with the outer part of the panel instrument cluster assembly from the front side. Assembly of inner part to the outer part from the front side leaves several scratches and rubbing marks on the inner surface of the outer part of the panel instrument cluster assembly which is clearly visible to the user of the vehicle. These marks on the inner surface of the panel instrument cluster are not accepted by the customers of the vehicle. These marks reduce aesthetic appearance of the panel instrument cluster of the vehicle. The rubbing marks and scratches on the inner surface of the panel instrument cluster leads to rejection of the panel instrument cluster which is waste of money and resources. Further, there is no location guide on the outer part of the panel instrument cluster to guide the movement of the inner part of the panel instrument cluster. To guide the plurality of welding ribs present on the surface of the inner part of the panel instrument cluster, several hit and trials are to be made to engage the plurality of welding ribs with the corresponding plurality of holes. In the absence of the location guide, the possibility to damage the outer part of the panel instrument cluster from the plurality of welding ribs are high. Further, there is high chance that plurality of ribs gets damaged from the hit and trials. Furthermore, in the absence of location guide, time require to assemble the parts of the pane instrument cluster is also high.
[008] The inner part is assembled from the front side of the outer part of the panel instrument cluster, therefore, there is high chance that the inner part may come out from the assembly during front collision of the vehicle. There is no reinforcement for the inner part from panel instrument cluster. Therefore, a proper structure and assembly is required for the panel instrument cluster to overcome the above mentioned problems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[009] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide assembly of inner part of the panel instrument cluster with outer part of the panel instrument cluster from rear side of the instrument panel.
[0010] Another principle object of the present invention is to remove possibility of getting rubbing marks and scratches on inner surface of the outer part of the panel instrument cluster while assembly.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to reduce rejection of inner and outer parts of the panel instrument cluster.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the assembly time of the parts of the panel instrument cluster.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide necessary reinforcement to inner part of the panel instrument cluster.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0014] The present invention relates to assembly of inner part of panel instrument cluster with outer part of panel instrument cluster from rear side of the instrument panel of the vehicle.
[0015] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates assembly of inner part of panel instrument cluster assembly with outer part of the panel instrument cluster assembly from front side of the instrument panel of vehicle as known in the art;
[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates cross sectional view of the assembled the inner part of the panel instrument cluster with the outer part of the panel instrument cluster from front side of the instrument panel of the vehicle as known in the art;
[0019] Fig. 3 illustrates assembly of inner part of panel instrument cluster with outer part of the panel instrument cluster from rear side of the instrument panel of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject member; and
[0020] Fig. 4 illustrates cross sectional view of the assembled the inner part of the panel instrument cluster with the outer part of the panel instrument cluster from rear side of the instrument panel of the vehicles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0022] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to assembly of inner part of panel instrument cluster assembly with outer part of the panel instrument cluster assembly from rear side of the instrument panel of vehicle. On back surface of the outer part of the panel instrument cluster a plurality of welding ribs are present. On the other hand, the inner part of the panel instrument cluster has a plurality of holes to receive the plurality of welding ribs of the outer part of the panel instrument cluster. When the plurality of holes on the inner part of the panel instrument cluster received to the plurality of welding ribs of the outer part of the panel instrument cluster, the plurality of welding ribs are heat welded to the inner part of the panel instrument cluster.
[0023] Conventionally, the inner part is assembled with the outer part of the panel instrument cluster assembly from the front side. Assembly of the inner part to the outer part from the front side leaves several scratches and rubbing marks on the inner surface of the outer part of the panel instrument cluster assembly which is clearly visible to the user of the vehicle. These marks on the inner surface of the panel instrument cluster are not accepted by the customers of the vehicle. These marks reduce aesthetic appearance of the panel instrument cluster of the vehicle. The rubbing marks and scratches on the inner surface of the panel instrument cluster leads to rejection of the panel instrument cluster which is waste of money and resources. Further, there is no location guide on the outer part of the panel instrument cluster to guide the movement of the inner part of the panel instrument cluster. To guide the plurality of welding ribs present on the surface of the inner part of the panel instrument cluster, several hit and trials are to be made to engage the plurality of welding ribs with the corresponding plurality of holes. In the absence of the location guide, the possibility to damage the outer part of the panel instrument cluster from the plurality of welding ribs are high. Further, there is high chance that plurality of ribs gets damaged from the hit and trials.
[0024] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0025] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates assembly of inner part of panel instrument cluster with outer part of the panel instrument cluster from rear side of the instrument panel of vehicle. In the present assembly of the panel instrument cluster, the inner part 301 is assembled with the outer part 302 from the rear side of the instrument panel of the vehicle. Further, back surface of the outer part 302 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 has plurality of vertical welding ribs 305, 401 (as shown in the figure 4).
[0027] The plurality of welding ribs 305, 401 is placed at regular interval of distance from each other on edge of the back outer circumference surface of the outer part 302 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303. The plurality of welding ribs 305, 401 is at 90o with respect to the back surface of the outer part of the panel instrument cluster 303 and extending towards engine of the vehicle. On the other hand, the inner part 301 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 has a plurality of holes 304 to receive the plurality of welding ribs 305 of the outer part 302 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303. When the plurality of holes 304 on the inner part 301 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 received to the plurality of welding ribs 305 of the outer part 302 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 from rear side of the instrument panel, the plurality of welding ribs 303 are heat welded to the inner part 301. The plurality of welding ribs 305 is made of thermoplastic material. The heat welding of the plurality of welding ribs 305 to the inner part 301 provides reinforcement to the inner part and avoids its popping out from the instrument panel cluster assembly during front collision of the vehicle.
[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates the cross sectional view A-A of the figure 3 of the panel instrument panel cluster assembly of the inner part of the panel instrument cluster assembly with the outer part of the panel instrument cluster assembly from rear side of the instrument panel of the vehicle. The inner part 301 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 is assembled with the outer part 302 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 from the rear side of the instrument panel. Further, the plurality of welding ribs 401 on the edge of the back outer circumference surface the outer part 302 indicated by 403 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 engage with the plurality of holes 304 of the inner part 301 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303.
[0029] Further, the plurality of welding ribs 305, 401 present on the back outer surface of the outer part 302 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 works as a guide or locator during assembly to receive the plurality of holes 304. Further, from the plurality of holes 304 of the inner part 301 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303 can be easily guided to the plurality of welding ribs 305. Accordingly, there is no chance of rubbing marks on inner front surface of outer part 302 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303. Further, the plurality of welding ribs 305 guides the assembly and reduces the assembly time of the inner part 301 with the outer part 302 of the panel instrument cluster assembly 303.
[0030] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter. ,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An panel instrument cluster assembly (303) in instrument panel of a vehicle, the panel instrument cluster assembly (303) comprising:
an inner part (301); and
an outer part (302) engaged with the inner part (301) from rear side of the outer part (302).
2. The panel instrument cluster assembly (303) as claimed in claim 1, wherein edge of back outer circumference surface of the outer part (302) has a plurality of welding ribs (305, 401).
3. The panel instrument cluster assembly (303) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of welding ribs (305, 401) located at an equal distance from each other on the back outer surface of the outer part (302) and the plurality of welding ribs (305, 401) located at back outer circumference of the outer part (302) to receive the inner part (301).
4. The panel instrument cluster assembly (303) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner part (301) has a plurality of holes (304) to get engage with the plurality of welding ribs (305, 401) present on the back outer surface of the outer part (302).
5. The panel instrument cluster assembly (303) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of welding ribs (401) are at angle 90o with respect to the back outer surface of the outer part (302).

6. The panel instrument cluster assembly (303) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of holes (304) corresponds to receive the plurality of welding ribs (401).

7. The panel instrument cluster assembly as claimed in claim 3 and 4, wherein the plurality of ribs (305, 401) inserted in corresponding the plurality of holes (304) to make the engagement.

8. The panel instrument cluster assembly (303) as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of welding ribs (35, 401) are made of thermoplastic material.

9. The panel instrument cluster assembly (303) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of welding ribs (401) in engagement with the plurality of holes (304) heat welded to seal the engagement.

10. The panel instrument cluster assembly (303) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes (304) guided the plurality of welding ribs (305, 401) for engagement.